Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The judge's 56% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 34% to 89% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando office. In the most recent reporting period, the judge's 61% approval rate compares to a 60% office average, a 59% state average, and a 58% national average.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Rodriguez-Quilichini's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Since 2016, the judge has issued 4,086 decisions. After an initial period of fluctuation, the approval rate saw a shift in 2021 before trending back toward the mid-50s in recent years. The latest reporting period shows a 61% approval rate, which is a slight increase compared to the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Rodriguez-Quilichini's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Orlando hearing office
Edgardo Rodriguez-Quilichini's most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the Florida region and maintains a bench of 17 judges. With an office-wide approval rate of 60% in the latest period, you can expect a review of your medical evidence and vocational history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 34% to 89% on their records since 2016.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Judge Rodriguez-Quilichini has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 34% to 89% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The judge's approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 54% in 2016 and reaching 61% in the most recent fiscal year-to-date period. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Because you cannot influence this assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and may ask you questions about your daily limitations. You may also hear testimony from vocational or medical experts. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 56% approval rate on record since 2016 is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the judge's decision will depend primarily on the medical evidence and testimony provided. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge assigned.
